I hope this doesnt sound like a bunch of babbling, but here goes,-- I own two rifles that i use for deer one is rem 308 and the other is a brown 7mm mag. I have only shot two deer with them(one with each) my 308 was the first ' new rifle i ever bought-had the choice of that or 30-06. as said you can see which one i chose, as for my mag, I didnt buy for an one-up(if i may say so) its just a caliber that i have always wanted, then throw in its maker, Im very happy with it, I also shoot it very well too. In the last two years i' ve lost count on how many people have told me ' It' s too much gun' , 75% of them are all older generation-(i' m only 30) the other 25% are just scared of it. I posted ? here and in another board asking what others thoughts were on using my mag for whitetail and blk bear, 99.9% said that it was just fine and wasnt too much. I beleive that like already stated in post before me, that its just times are changing and people are going with it, IE going with larger calibers too keep up with pressures that come with the changing times. Granted that the others wrk-270-308-30-06, they still kill, maybe its just the thought of that added reach out and touch that makes the mags more appealing. thats just my thoughts. sorry if this didnt make alot sense. But if you can shoot them well, then by all means use them. if this seems to be out of whack let me know..